A Giants-Golden Tate divorce is starting to appear imminent, though it might not happen this season. The team announced Saturday it will face Washington without the veteran wide receiver, indicating Tate will not make the trip. Issues with effort and performance are behind the Giants deactivating Tate, Kim Jones and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com report (on Twitter).
Tate will be given the chance to return to New York’s lineup next week, Jones adds, and an in-season release does not currently appear to be on the table, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com. Tate is still on track to collect more than $4MM in base salary this season. Were he to be cut this season, he would head to the waiver wire since the trade deadline has passed.
The Giants did shop him ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline but found no takers. They will not carry his $8.5MM salary on their 2021 books, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY notes. The Giants could save $6.1MM by releasing Tate in 2021.
A 2019 free agent signing, Tate began his Giants career with a four-game PED suspension that voided future guarantees. Although he caught a crucial touchdown pass late in Monday night’s loss to the Buccaneers, he voiced frustrations about his lack of targets during the game. This preceded an Instagram post from Tate’s wife regarding her husband’s role in New York’s offense and Tate liking another Instagram post indicating he should be cut and given a chance with another team. Tate saw time on New York’s scout team in practice this week, Raanan adds.
Through seven games this season, Tate has 22 receptions for 226 yards and two touchdowns. While both those scores came over the past two games, Tate has only been targeted five times in those contests. He has worked as the Giants’ clear No. 3 wide receiver since Sterling Shepard‘s return from IR. Tate has three 1,000-yard seasons on his resume (all with Detroit) and made the Pro Bowl in 2014.
One of the oddest FA signings
Plus he knew what was good when he signed, so idk why we keep hearing he wants to play for a contender. He wanted money. Nothin wrong with that. You just can’t always have your cake and eat it too
He made his own version of ‘Show me the money!’ upon signing.
Poor Golden Maybe he should spend Sunday having his wife throw passes to him.
I like that…. Humor is good l, more of it needed on these boards 🙂
Agree – good one!!
If he is released, the NBA’s Warriors is certainly a fit.
Tate is not targeted more often because he drops too many passes for a WR of his experience. He is great as a RAC receiver, but his hands have always been hit or miss. He’s also had personality issues in the past, notably with Russell Wilson, and that PED suspension certainly did not help.
With Slayton having a clear connection with Jones and Shepherd having always been a hard worker, it’s not surprising that Tate is third on the depth chart. He works best inside anyway, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing for him to not be the number one or two receiver, especially at this point in his career.